A 2-year-old girl died and her caretaker has been arrested, South Carolina police say
A South Carolina woman was arrested Tuesday, months after a 2-year-old girl in her care was found dead, according to the Florence Police Department.
Patricia Ann Stafford, a 60-year-old Florence resident, was charged with unlawful neglect of a child, police said in a news release.
The toddler died Jan. 11, according to the release.
Officers were in the 900 block of Kershaw Street for a separate matter when they overheard a disturbance at a nearby home, police said. Residents at that home told the officers that a child inside was dead, according to the release.
Officers found the 2-year-old girl in a bedroom and confirmed she was dead, police said.
After an investigation by police and the Florence County Coroner’s Office, it was determined that the death was related to an infection, according to the release.
The child suffered severe burns while under the care of Stafford and did not receive appropriate medical attention, police said. Stafford “did not seek any type of medical care” for the toddler, an arrest warrant said.
The burns were believed to be caused by hot water, police told The State on Wednesday. The child was burned on her legs, according to an arrest warrant.
Negligent care of the burns caused the infection, police said.
Stafford was booked into the Florence County Detention Center, jail records show. No bond has been set and Stafford remains behind bars, according to jail records.
In September 2017, Stafford was arrested for unlawful neglect of a child, but the charge was not prosecuted, Florence County court records show.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
